Zip the Pinhead facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Henry Johnson (Zip the Pinhead)
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William Henry Johnson
c. 1857 |
| Died | April 9, 1926 (aged 68–69) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Freak show performer |
| Known for | performer with Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey sideshows, entertainer at Coney Island |
William Henry Johnson (born around 1857, died April 9, 1926) was an American performer. He was famous for his unique head shape and was known as Zip the Pinhead.
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Early Life of Zip
William Henry Johnson grew up in a very poor African-American family. He was one of six children. His parents, William and Mahalia Johnson, had been slaves before.
As William Henry grew, his body developed normally. However, his head stayed small and tapered. He also had a strong jaw. This unusual look made him interesting to circus agents. They thought he might be a "pinhead," or someone with microcephaly. People with microcephaly have a small, cone-shaped head. They often have learning difficulties. It's not clear if William Henry had these difficulties.
William Henry's parents agreed to let the circus show him. In return, they received money. He was presented as a "missing link." People were told he was caught in Africa and kept in a cage. He became very popular. His success led his agent to show him to the famous showman P.T. Barnum.
Barnum bought the right to display William Henry Johnson. He gave him a new look. A furry suit was made for him. His hair was shaped to a tiny point. This made his sloped forehead stand out even more. Finally, Barnum gave him the name "Zip the Pinhead," the "What-Is-It?"
Zip's Amazing Career
When Zip first performed, he had a special background story. Audiences were told that a tribe of "missing links" had been found in Africa. Zip was supposedly one of them. It was also explained that this "wild man," the "What-Is-It," ate raw meat, nuts, and fruit. But he was learning to eat more "civilized" foods like bread and cake.
Zip would then appear in a cage. He would rattle the bars and make loud sounds. This act was a huge hit for Barnum. Zip became as popular at Barnum's American Museum as the famous Siamese twins, Chang and Eng Bunker.
Later Performances
As years passed, Zip's act became more "civilized." He shared the stage with other unique performers. These included his friends "Texas Giant" Jim Tarver, "Tallest Man in the World" Jack Earle, and Koo-Koo the Bird Girl. He traveled a lot with the Ringling Brothers circus.
In 1860, Albert Edward, the Prince of Wales, visited him at the museum. A famous Civil War photographer, Mathew Brady, took his picture.
Throughout his career, Zip's best friend and manager was Captain O.K. White. Captain White always looked out for Zip's best interests. He also gave Zip a special gift: a tuxedo.
Life at Coney Island
In his later years, Zip stopped traveling. He preferred to perform at Coney Island. One Sunday in 1925, Zip heard a little girl crying for help. He saw her waving her arms in the ocean. Zip swam out and rescued her.
Zip caught bronchitis in early 1926. Even though his doctor and Captain White told him to rest, he kept performing. He was in a stage play called Sunny at the New Amsterdam Theater. After the play closed, he went home to Bound Brook, New Jersey. His doctor, Captain White, and his sister took care of him there.
When he got worse, he was moved to Bellevue Hospital in New York City. He passed away there.
It is thought that Zip entertained over one hundred million people. This was during his 67 years in show business.
Zip the Pinhead was buried in Bound Brook Cemetery. His grave is in Plot 399. A small gravestone marks his resting place. It reads "William H. Johnson, 1857–1926."
Inspiration and Legacy
William Henry Johnson partly inspired Bill Griffith's comic character, Zippy the Pinhead. He was also featured in an episode of the History Channel show Wild West Tech. This episode was called "Freak Show Tech."
While he wasn't the very first "pinhead" in American circuses, his unique costumes and way of performing led to other people with microcephaly being shown to the public.
See also
In Spanish: Zip the Pinhead para niños
